The
park at 54th and Ellis (which goes back to urban renewal times,) was renamed
in 2004 after pioneer aviatrix and African-American community activist
Bessie Coleman, following a public comment process. The District has
been naming previously unnamed parks for women important in Chicago life and
history. (Did you know there is a Bessie Coleman Society of African-American
female aviators? And a biography on sale at local bookstores, Dare to Fly.)

A Bessie Coleman
park councilwas
formed in 2005. The group later chose to take the form of a block club. Both
before and since, substantial improvements were made in the park in cooperation
with the Chicago Park District and others.

A children's book
on Bessie Coleman has the heart of the story: Nikki Grimes, Talking About
Bessie: The Story of Aviator Elizabeth Coleman.
Available at 57th St. Books. Coleman was cameo's on a PBS program in The History
Detectives series, sleuthing who built Lindbergh's engine.